[wellylug] SpamAssassin/Virus checking 'before' Exchange Server

Richard richard at redspider.co.nz
Mon Mar 29 14:55:49 NZST 2004


> > Hi Jamie
> >
> > I know that this answer is not about linux but I know that there are SPAM
> > /
> > Anti-Virus products that integrate with Exchange. Have you had a look at
> > these? And yes they do cost money.   :-(
> 
> Which directly goes against my first point that I work in a place that
> won't spend money.
> I am well aware that there are a lot of products for Windows that do this
> but with astronomically high prices they are not an option.

*smirk* poor Jamie, stuck somewhere that won't spend money yet runs exchange :)
How much do those licences cost them per year? :)

As to solving your problem, I'm not convinced another mail server is the best
answer without removing exchange. Probably the best trick will be to wait for
Outlook (I assume you're using outlook?) to get its next update with the
anti-spam bayesian gear and use that.

The reason I say this is because spamassassin is only about 50% effective* on
Exorsus now, so you're still likely to have to deal with a small pile of spam.
You can of course get SA running with bayesian support but integrating this
properly with everything else so that people can recategorise stuff so it can
learn is a lot of work.

Alternatively switch to mozilla mail or one of the other clients that support
integrated learning filters. You'll get much better success that way.

How many accounts on the box? if we're talking 5-10 then it's gonna be easy
enough to train everyone to use the anti-spam gear, especially when there's so
much in it for them. If you're talking 1000 clients tho, not so easy.

Should have a budget for 1000 clients tho :D

(* note that this is across a wide range of personalities and uses. For me
personally it is much better than 50% effective, but I tend to be more careful
with my details and don't accidentally subscribe to spam lists etc, 50% is
overall on Exorsus, a system with several hundred mail accounts)

-- 
Richard Clark,
Analysis and Design,
Red Spider (http://redspider.co.nz/)
(+64) 021 478 219




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